LouisianaBio has a SPECIAL OFFER for our state’s smallest, youngest, and most innovative biotechnology companies.

If the following criteria applies to your company please email RMelancon@LouisianaBio.org to receive the special application and instructions.

You cannot apply online for the $50 Membership Special.

Company Criteria:

Your company is a Louisiana-based, for-profit company that develops, manufactures or commercializes drugs or vaccines, medical devices or equipment; or agricultural, industrial or environmental products based upon the practical applications of biotechnology/biosciences.

Your company generated less than $100 million in revenues for 2014-2015.

Your company employs 50 or fewer employees.

Current and lapsed members who meet these criteria may renew or reinstate their LouisianaBio memberships at this reduced fee.

Please note: If you want to join LouisianaBio and do not meet these criteria, you may apply online here. Please select the appropriate membership category for you or your company.

Thanks to Baker Donelson for providing us with this landing page where those interested can download a copy of the 2016 Louisiana Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Report. Just click here.

Now that we’ve identified some areas of strength and areas where we need to work harder, there has never been a better time to join LouisianaBio. Louisiana biotechnology companies that meet certain criteria can join for only $50–a significant savings because 1) these are the companies most likely to benefit from membership in the state biotech/bioscience association, and 2) we recognize the particular financial challenges these companies face. Click here to learn more.

No matter whether you are a small, emerging biotech company of one with some great technology, or you’re a research university, a multinational ag biotech company, or if you’re doing business in Louisiana to help support the growth of the biotechnology/biosciences industry in anyway–life sciences, ag, industrial, bio-engineering, biochemical, bio-energy– now is a great time to get involved in LouisianaBio!

If you join BEFORE January 31st, we have a special bonus–you can receive a discount on registration fees to attend BIO 2016 International Convention in San Francisco and to participate in the extremely valuable One-on-One Partnering Sessions.

Louisiana’s growing biosciences sector could be stymied by recent tax break changes that could make it more difficult for startups to find early-stage financing, a report says.

The report, released Wednesday by the trade groupLouisianaBioand law firm Baker Donelson, relied on feedback from surveys of companies, academic research institutions and venture capital firms connected with the state’s biosciences industry.

The report discusses current views on workforce development and hiring activity, access to capital and accessibility to local services for startups to grow.

“We need a few grand-slam home runs to encourage that money to come off the sidelines,” Baker Donelson attorney David Rieveschl said Wednesday about the prospects of luring more investment in the sector.

In recent years, more than 100 new companies have been created and more than $100 million has been raised by startups throughout the state, the report said.

Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the bioscience industry is limited access to staged funding. “Despite there being private groups in Louisiana that enthusiastically invest in early-stage life sciences companies, there are not yet enough of these investors in the state,” the report said.

There’s also a misperception that business incubator programs, such as the New Orleans BioInnovation Center and the Louisiana Emerging Technology Center in Baton Rouge, are either full or not built to handle current demand, specific studies or scaling-up processes.

Another issue facing the industry: An ongoing drain of young talent, who tend to leave Louisiana and launch companies elsewhere, the report said.

The report makes a handful of recommendations to improve the industry’s business climate, such as encouraging local and state officials to find ways to offer tax breaks and publicly-funded incentives to startups, as well as supporting business pitch competitions, networking events and other programs that match investors with local life-science companies.

Tapping private funding is an ongoing challenge for entrepreneurs because of a longer lead time and the often-significant amount of money required before commercialization of products, the report says. There’s also general unpredictably and inherent regulatory risks.

In Louisiana, life-sciences entrepreneurs who responded to the survey reported relying on a variety of funding sources to get going, with more than half of the money coming from personal financing, friends and family.

State lawmakers haven’t made it any easier, according to the report. Changes put in place last year to Louisiana’s research and development tax credit make it less generous and limit a company’s ability to convert the credit to cash.

The report found that only a fraction of those surveyed — 11 percent of entrepreneurs and 7 percent of corporations — reported participating in state-led workforce development initiatives, such as the Quality Jobs program, which offers payroll rebates for new full-time jobs created in a handful of target industries.

“These data indicate that the respondents most likely are not aware of such programs,” the report concluded, recommending that a centralized database listing such opportunities would be beneficial.

Despite the state’s shortcomings, the report found that it offers the biosciences sector several advantages.

For example, Louisiana is among only a handful of states with at least two medical school campuses in the same city, which provides “an incredible opportunity for the development of the life-sciences ecosystem,” according to the report. Louisiana also is considered one of the top dozen states for research and development in the agricultural biotechnology sector.

Rhonda Melancon, executive director of LouisianaBio, said the report’s findings showed that the local biosciences sector has made big strides in the past five years.

“The fact that there still seems to be a lot of optimism in the industry across Louisiana definitely stood out to me,” Melancon said. “It sounds to me like we just need to continue doing the things that we’ve been doing and focus on trying to see how we can fill in some of the gaps that were identified by the report.”

As a member of LousianaBio, you are a member of the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA). Until January 31st, LouisianaBio members can receive special code that will give you a 25% discount on BIO 2016 International Convention registration. The International Convention will be held in San Francisco, June 6-9. This also includes a discount on the very popular One-on-One Partnering Sessions as well!

If you know you want to attend BIO 2016 in San Francisco–or you think you might want to attend–complete the form linked below which will opt you into the BIO mailing list so you can lock in your discount and receive the registration discount code for LouisianaBio members.

You do not have to register for BIO 2016 by January 31st, but you do have to apply for the code. After Jan. 31, the code goes away.

If you aren’t a LouisianaBio member, but become a member in good standing before Jan. 31st, you can also receive the discount code. Don’t wait . . . join us now! Certain emerging biotechnology companies can join LouisianaBio for only $50!

Baker Donelson and LouisianaBio to Issue Report on the State of Life Sciences Entrepreneurship in Louisiana Today

NEW ORLEANS–Jan. 13, 2016–Baker Donelson, in partnership with LouisianaBio, will present a report on the state of life sciences entrepreneurship in Louisiana today.

Assembled through survey feedback collected during the second half of 2015 from Louisiana’s life sciences community, the report provides data on the industry climate for startups, and identifies statewide challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to raise capital, commercialize discoveries, and build life sciences businesses.

Baker Donelson, the nation’s 64th largest law firm with experience serving both the life sciences and emerging companies communities, and LouisianaBio, a member-driven state trade organization supporting biotechnology growth in Louisiana–and the state affiliate of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)–bring together feedback from professionals across the state representing a wide range of industry sectors, companies, academic research institutions and venture capitalists from all regions of Louisiana, as well as economic development and incubator organizations.

The report was designed to share information about the startup climate for entrepreneurs in the Louisiana life sciences community. It features data points on various economic and growth factors, including:
Workforce development and hiring activity;

Access to capital;

Availability of state incentives and capital formation programs;

Commercialization and technology transfer;

Accessibility to services in Louisiana for startups to grow;

Formalization of mentoring programs and collaboration among academic institutions and the private sector; and

Success of business incubator programs in the state.

The report is being presented at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (1441 Canal Street, New Orleans, 70112) today, Jan. 13. If you would like to receive a copy of this report, please email RMelancon@LouisianaBio.org.

Washington, D.C. (January 4, 2016) – To better reflect the remarkable progress and groundbreaking innovations its members achieve in healing, fueling and feeding the world, BIO – the world’s largest biotechnology trade association – is changing its name to Biotechnology Innovation Organization. The organization will continue to use the shortened, “BIO” name.

In the more than 22 years since its founding, BIO – formerly Biotechnology Industry Organization – has united scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers and the public to advance breakthrough cures and products in fields ranging from health, food and agricultural to industrial and environmental.

“This name change does not alter our mission or the value we deliver. We are better describing what our members do, who they are and how they think,” BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood, said. “Our members are some of the most innovative people on the planet. Biotech companies and research institutions are filled with scientists and entrepreneurs who ‘see’ a different future. And then they innovate to change the course of history.”

BIO represents biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the U.S. and in more than 30 other countries. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

“Everything we do is focused on improving the world we live in,” Greenwood said. “Our name and identity need to reflect the accelerating sense of improvement and discovery our members are helping to lead.”

He noted that biotechnology develops technologies and products that help improve lives and the health of the planet, including:

More than 250 biotechnology healthcare products and vaccines are available to patients, many for previously untreatable diseases.

More than 18 million farmers around the world use agricultural biotechnology to increase yields, prevent damage from insects and pests and reduce farming’s environmental impact.

More than 50 biorefineries are being built across North America to test and refine technologies to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The public is more hopeful than ever that we can innovate new products that will change the course of their lives and change the course of history,” Greenwood said. “BIO’s diverse members – from cutting-edge research institutes, to promising startups to global companies in a wide array of biotechnology and related fields – will continue to drive health, life expectancy and the quality of life to never-before-seen levels. Our members solve the unsolvable.”

About BIO

BIO is the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO’s blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.

Here Are the Details Regarding $50 LouisianaBio Memberships and the 25% Discount on BIO 2016 International Convention Registrations

$50 Annual Membership for Select Biotech Companies

In an effort to better serve young biotechnology companies in Louisiana, and to celebrate BIO’s rebranding as the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, LouisianaBio is offering a special membership rate for our state’s smallest, youngest and most innovative companies.

If the following criteria applies to your company, and you are interested in the BIO Business Solutions purchasing program for LouisianaBio members, or you are interested in attending the BIO 2016 International Convention at a 25% discounted rate (including your company’s participation in the highly-popular One-on-One Business Industry Partnering Sessions), and/or you want to support the growth of Louisiana’s biotechnology/bioscience industry through statewide networking and advocacy efforts, please email RMelancon@LouisianaBio to receive the special application and instructions. You cannot apply online for the $50 Membership Special.

Company Criteria:

Your company is a Louisiana-based, for-profit company that develops, manufactures or commercializes drugs or vaccines, medical devices or equipment; or agricultural, industrial or environmental products based upon the practical applications of biotechnology/biosciences.

Your company generated less than $100 million in revenues for 2014-2015.

Your company employs 50 or fewer employees.

Current and lapsed members who meet these criteria may renew or reinstate their LouisianaBio memberships at this reduced fee.

Please note: If you want to join LouisianaBio and do not meet these criteria, you may apply online here. Please select the appropriate membership category for you or your company.

2. How to Lock in the 25% State Affiliate Discount on the BIO 2016 International Convention Registration Fees

You must be a LouisianaBio member in good standing (which also makes you a member of the Council of State Bioscience Associations) before January 31, 2016. Please contact RMelancon@LouisianaBio.org to receive the link to the form that will provide you with the 25% discount on BIO 2016 registration fees. This is only for state affiliates of BIO and cannot be made available to the public.

If you have any questions about these offers and/or membership in LouisianaBio, please contact Rhonda Melancon at RMelancon@LouisianaBio.org or call 504-427-7535.

August 29th will mark the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking her havoc on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast of the United States. With the storm’s eye passing within 10-15 miles of the city, the effect on New Orleans was devastating. In the aftermath, about 80 percent of the city was flooded and the death toll was estimated at more than 1,200. Whatever future New Orleans would face, it would be bleak.

At the time, I was living 5-1/2 hours away from the devastation itself, but I was in a highly-emotional state with friends and family in its path, and already seeing hoards of evacuees in my area, bunking in with relatives because there were so many Louisianans already living there.

I watched the tragic news unfold on television, frightened, often angry because of some of the comments being made, but I vowed to come back to New Orleans, and do something.

Economists have since estimated that 95,000 jobs were lost during those first 10 months following Hurricane Katrina with a loss in wages of $2.9 billion. Many of those job losses were felt among research faculty at LSU Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, Xavier University, and the University of New Orleans. Other job losses were felt from LSU’s Charity Hospital and numerous other hospitals in the area. Those who could pack up what was left of their research programs were able to find new homes at other research universities and centers around the country, including the center where I worked at the time, who welcomed them with open arms, and encouraged them to stay.

Never had a US city had to face such dire consequences, but here’s the good news: New Orleans did—and survived. The city’s leadership was forced to re-evaluate and plan, and to its credit, that is just what they did. New Orleans now had a plan for survival, and it included the biotechnology and biomedical industry.

Fast forward: When you look at the business community in New Orleans, it is much more entrepreneurial now. The city’s $47 million biotechnology incubator, the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, whose construction was put on hold following Hurricane Katrina, is now operating, working to commercialize early stage biotechnology companies, most emerging from seeds planted at LSU Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, and Xavier University.

The $112 million Louisiana Cancer Research Center—a joint collaboration between LSU, Tulane, Xavier, Ochsner Foundation and the State of Louisiana—has been open for several years now.

The new, $1.1 billion University Medical Center transferred its first patients over this past weekend from the LSU Interim Hospital which has served as a temporary facility since Hurricane Katrina forced the closure of Charity Hospital.

Within the next year, the $1 billion Veterans Administration Medical Center will open its doors to patients, just next door to the new University Medical Center, creating not only a synergy between the two institutions, but in the community as well with numerous business popping up to serve the establishments and their employees and guests. New Orleans now has an identifiable, 1,500-acre BioDistrict, an entity that didn’t exist pre-Katrina.

They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And nowhere is that more evident than in New Orleans. Some of the kudos the city has earned includes:

But I would be remiss if I led you to believe that the only biomedical/biotechnology progress taking place post-Katrina is in New Orleans.

When those in the biotechnology and biomedical industry left New Orleans, they didn’t all leave the state entirely. They went to Baton Rouge, to Monroe, to Lafayette, to Shreveport, to Ruston, creating biotechnology innovation in those communities as well.

As for me, I’ve been back for eight years and still working on the “do something” part, but I have never been more proud of the state where I attended and graduated college, where I began my adult life, bought my first house, and where my children were born. And I am extremely proud to be leading LouisianaBio, representing its members and the state’s industry on a larger scale as an affiliate of the international trade association, BIO, based in Washington, DC.

When this August the 29th rolls around, I will take a drive around the area of New Orleans where my office is located, and take note of all of those bioscience structures now in place that didn’t exist before Hurricane Katrina. And I will be forever grateful for the men and women who have worked so tirelessly to build and re-build this industry following the storm.

There is still much more work to do. Budgets for higher education and research-based programs have taken a beating these past few years. Louisiana citizens will elect a new Governor in November, and from my dealings with some of the top candidates and other conversations, I have high hopes that the next Governor of Louisiana will advocate for this diverse industry that feeds, fuels and heals the world, and the new Administration will support the early, mission-critical research taking place in our state’s universities and healthcare institutions; established agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial companies; and the new technology start-ups housed in our state’s three biotechnology incubators.

Louisiana is currently one of the top 12 agricultural biotechnology states in the country, and even industry experts from outside our state say our industry is very real and very diverse, reflecting almost every segment of the biotechnology spectrum. Just as the State, and the Gulf Coast, and the City of New Orleans rebounded post-Katrina, I have every reason to believe that with the right mix of continuing support, more entrepreneurial spirit, more innovation, and yes, more sweat, the state’s biotechnology industry as a whole is on the cusp of greatness as well.

Note: At the time of this posting, we are just now beginning to see remembrances of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the Gulf Coast. Tulane University has posted an in-depth section on its website, devoted to remembering that time. It is extremely well done, so I invite you to take a look back, and then remember how far we’ve come since then.

If you’ve had problems taking the statewide survey you received by email, please click here to access the survey. Thank you in advance for your extremely valuable feedback. And remember, while your names and company names will not be included in the report, we would appreciate you providing that information if we need to contact you for more information about your survey response, or to let you know you’ve been selected randomly to receive the $100 gift card for taking the survey!